极端环境下的微生物及其生物地球化学作用

极端微生物是地球生物圈的重要组成部分。极端微生物的地球化学定位在微生物学与地球化学以及一些相关学科的交叉点上,最近10年已经发展成为地质生物学研究的热门领域。对极端微生物的研究不仅有助于回答生命起源、生命极限、生命本质甚至其他生命形式等生命科学问题,而且其生物地球化学作用在地球系统科学研究中具有重大科学研究价值,对揭示生物圈与地圈协同演化的奥秘、认识生命与环境相互作用规律及地球的化学演化提供重要证据。总结了嗜热菌、嗜冷菌、嗜酸菌、嗜碱菌、嗜压菌、嗜盐菌以及抗辐射菌的主要类群,论述了极端微生物适应环境的机制,探讨了极端微生物的生物地球化学意义。作者预测未来将会在生物标志化合物研究、同位素地球化学分析和分子生物学综合研究的基础上协同推进极端微生物地球化学学科的发展。     

Toppling rock slope failures examples of analysis and stabilization

SummaryToppling Rock Slope Failures — Examples of Analysis and Stabilization Three case histories of toppling failures of rock slopes, and the methods used to ensure that failure did not disrupt operations below the slope, are described. The application of Goodman and Bray's limit equilibrium analysis of multi-block failures to these three slopes is demonstrated.The first failure occurred in a 20 m high granite slope that was stabilized by removing the top 6 m and installing a number of tensioned rock anchors in the toe. The second failure occurred in a sequence of folded sandstone, shale and coal. This slide was too large to stabilize, so the movement rate was monitored while mining continued in the pit below until shortly before failure took place. In the third failure, the top 8 m of a single 12 m high toppling block was removed by blasting to prevent further rotational movement.

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ZusammenfassungKippvorgänge beim Bruch von Felsböschungen — Beispiele für die Berechnung und Stabilisierung Es werden drei Fallstudien von Brüchen von Felsböschungen durch Kippen und die dabei angewendeten Sicherungsmethoden beschrieben. Die Anwendung der Grenzgleichgewichtsbetrachtung von Massenbewegungen, die durch Kippvorgänge ausgelöst wurden, nach Goodman and Bray, auf drei Felshänge wird gezeigt.Der erste Bruch ereignete sich in einer 20 m hohen Böschung in Granit. Die Stabilisierung bestand in der Entfernung der obersten 6 m und der Einbringung von einigen Vorspannankern. Der zweite Bruch ereignete sich in einer Serie von gefalteten Sandsteinen, Schiefern und Kohlen. Da die Größe dieser Rutschung eine Stabilisierung unmöglich machte, wurden die Bewegungen genau registriert und der Abbau bis kurz vor dem eigentlichen Bruch fortgesetzt. Das dritte Beispiel ist ein einzelner 12 m hoher, kippender Block, dessen oberste 8 m weggesprengt wurde, um ein weiteres Kippen zu verhindern.

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RésuméDéfauts par chute de rampes rocheuses — Exemples des analyses et de stabilisation Ce résumé décrit trois événements de rupture de pentes rocheuses et les méthodes de stabilisation utilisées. Dans ces trois cas l'auteur montre l'utilisation de l'analyse de la limite d'équilibre des masses rocheuses pour un mouvement de basculement selon Goodman et Bray.Le premier cas a eu lieu sur une rampe granitique de 20 m hauteur, laquelle a été stabilisée en 6 m de roche au sommet et en possant quelque d'ancrage au pied de la pente. La deuxième défaut s'a produit avec une séquence de roches de formation gréseuse, d'argile schisteuse et du charbon. Cette glissement a été trop grande pour être stabilisée, donc la raison de mouvement a été controlée au même temps qu'on travaillait dans le puit au dessous quelque temps avant que le défaut se produisse. Dans le troisième défaut les 8 m de sommet d'un seul bloc rocheux ont été dépilés par des méthodes explosifs pour prévenir ultérieur mouvements rotatives.

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With 6 Figures     

Progressive failure mechanism in one-dimensional stability analysis of shallow slope failures

In many slopes, overstressed zones can develop where the shear stress is larger than the available shear strength. Along a shear surface within a soil exhibiting a strain-softening behavior, the shear displacement increases while the available shear strength decreases. The excess shear stress is transferred from the overstressed zone to the adjacent zones, providing more shear strength. This stress-transferring mechanism induces stress redistribution within the slope and could enlarge the overstress zone. A one-dimensional model that satisfies the strain compatibility and force equilibrium is proposed for the stability analysis of a slope of strain-softening behavior. This paper’s objective is to facilitate the application of this model to estimate stress distribution along the failure surface of a strain-softening slope and thereafter the stability status. The study presents a set of specific solutions to this model by describing and demonstrating procedures to identify the pattern of a stress state and to calculate stress distribution within a one-dimensional, strain-softening slope. The progressive failure mechanism is also investigated by using the proposed approach. As the magnitude of released stress gets large enough, it induces an overstressed zone adjacent to the initial unstable zone and progressive failure develops. The proposed approach is also applied to study the pattern of stress redistribution. It is found that the pattern of stress redistribution is affected by the magnitude of released stress. It is too complex to be reasonably expressed by simple models. Though some limitations exist, the proposed approach serves as a simple tool for a better understanding of the progressive failure mechanism.     

Depositional deglaciation forms as indicators of different glacial and glaciomarginal environments

The current system of nomenclature for landform elements associated with deglaciation is often insufficient and inappropriate to describe the total depositional environment. There is a manifold transition of the deposits in regard to morphology, orientation, arrangement, material, and material-related properties. A multidimensional scheme constructed to be maximally informative of the depositional environment is presented.     

Last glacial maximum environments in northwestern Patagonia revealed by fossil small mammals

Comparisons of historical and modern assemblages of mammals can yield important insights into patterns and processes of environmental change. Here, we present the first analyses of small mammal assemblages present in northern Patagonia during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Using remains obtained from owl pellets excavated from an archeological cave site (Arroyo Corral I, levels VII–V, carbon dates of 22,400–21,530 cal yr BP), we generate estimates of the minimum number of individuals for all species detected; these estimates, in turn are used to determine relative species abundances. Comparisons of these data with similar analyses of small mammal remains obtained from a second archeological site (ACoII, levels IV–V, carbon dates of 10,010–9220 cal yr BP) as well as from modern owl pellets reveal pronounced changes in relative species abundance since the LGM. In particular, Euneomys chinchilloides and Ctenomys sociabilis – the predominant species during the LGM – declined markedly, suggesting a change from open, bare habitat punctuated by patches of wet meadows and shrubs to the more densely vegetated mosaic of ecotone habitats found in this region today. These data provide important new insights into the environmental changes that have occurred in northern Patagonia over the last 20,000 years.     

Potential contributions of extremophiles to hydrocarbon resources in marine extreme environments:A review

To understand the potential mechanism of marine extremophiles participating in the formation and the evolution of hydrocarbon resources in marine extreme environments, some typical kinds of extremophiles and their distributions in marine hydrothermal and cold vents are discussed and evaluated respectively. The potential relationship between extremophile activities and hydrocarbon resources in marine extreme environments are then discussed in details. It could be now preliminary concluded that archaea and bacteria are the two main kinds of extremophiles in marine extreme environments. The dominating microbe communities in hydrothermal vents are heterotrophic zymogens, sulfate reducers and methanogens, while the ANME-2 group (Methanosarcinales) surrounded by sulfate-reducing bacteria and ANME-1 group dominate in cold vents. Marine extremophiles would be able to use CH₄ and H₂S to synthesize energy for metabolism and to support food chains for other unique macrobiota nearby, which together present a high abundance but a low diversity with distinct characteristics of horizontal and vertical distributions. Marine extremophiles might play an important role either directly or indirectly in the processes of hydrocarbon formation and subsequent alteration, and could indicate the evolution of hydrocarbon resources in marine extreme environments. Our research thus has a great significance both in theoretical approach of potential hydrocarbon resources formed by marine extremophile activities and in practical exploration of the potential hydrocarbonsource sedimentary layers formed in the Earth history or the potential strata in southern China. __________ Translated from Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2007, 32(6): 781–788 [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]     

A scanning electron microscope study of surface textures of quartz grains from glacial environments

Surface textures of quartz sand grains from several glacial environments at the Feegletscher, Switzerland examined by means of scanning electron microscopy are described. The difference between supraglacial and subglacial material is very slight. At the moment the interpretation of these textures must be done with care until the full statistical relation to environments can be ascertained. This does not necessarily invalidate earlier investigations although it does mean that glacial and extraglacial environments in the vicinity of glaciers are apparently not distinguishable. Examination of surface precipitation features suggests a sequence of events which can be used to help discriminate between different ages of deposits in an area. A similarity between some of the surface debris from moraine samples and those seen in loess and quickclay deposits is also suggested.     

高海拔多年冻土区露采矿山边坡水冰环境特征分析

为了掌握高海拔多年冻土区露天煤矿边坡形成后的水分变化规律,明晰其对边坡稳定性的影响特征,依托青海木里聚乎更矿区露天煤矿矿坑开挖过程,运用调查和监测的方法分析了采场边坡的水冰环境。调查分析结果表明,矿区内分布着连续的厚度不等的多年冻土（岩）层,矿坑开挖切割不同岩性的冻结地层而形成多种类型的边坡,由于边坡地层岩性和结构的差异而使岩体含冰特征体现出较大不同。原始冻结岩土体因开挖形成边坡而使其温度与水分环境发生了显著变化,边坡表面地层由温度和水分稳定态转化为温度与水分敏感态,即逐渐由多年冻土（岩）层转化为季节冻土（岩）层,在水分和温度的双重因素作用下,边坡岩体的水冰环境在不断地发生着复杂的变化。通过地层温度和水冰环境的调查与分类概化,可为研究岩体的真实冻融劣化规律及边坡稳定性演化规律提供科学基础。     

Thaw-induced slope failures and stability analyses in permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

The distribution of permafrost-related slope failures along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway from Wuddaoliang to Fenghuoshan correlates with ice content, slope gradient, and ground temperature. Slope failures are of two types. (1) Retrogressive thaw slumps result from icy permafrost being exposed by either man-induced excavation or fluvial-thermal erosion and undercutting of basal slopes. (2) Active-layer-detachment failures are caused by thaw of icy permafrost at the active layer-permafrost interface. After initial failure, active-layer-detachment failures can lead to retrogressive thaw-slumping and localized surficial landslide. Common trigger mechanisms for failure include high summer air temperatures and heavy summer precipitation. A third possible trigger mechanism for slope failure is earthquake occurrence. A geotechnical slope stability analysis was undertaken for an active-layer-detachment failure that had progressed into a retrogressive thaw slump. A safety factor (F _s ) of 1.24 for the natural slope was determined using in situ tested strength parameters. However, the slope would lose stability when either the groundwater level over the permafrost table exceeded 1.42 m or seismic acceleration reached, or exceeded, 0.03?g.     

极端冰雪灾害条件下松散堆积体边坡演化分析

针对2008年初南方罕见的极端冰雪气候,为研究其与地质灾害的相关性,探讨了极端冰雪灾害条件下均质松散堆积体边坡的演化特征。比较了融雪与降雨触发滑坡的异同点,通过具体事例分析了融雪触发滑坡灾害的一般规律。引入度日因子与雪雨当量两个物理量,根据南方极端冰雪气候特征建立了简化的有效融雪模型,并从渗流场、稳定性及变形3个方面模拟计算在不同雨雪当量下均质松散堆积体坡体的演化特征。结果表明,一定的融雪速率与融雪量对松散堆积体边坡渗流场无影响。随着融雪的持续,非饱和区基质吸力逐渐减小,坡体整体稳定性逐渐降低。坡面上水平位移与竖向位移逐渐增大,表现为水平方向上前缘变形大于后缘,竖直方向上后缘下错与前缘隆起。在融雪持续一段时间后,坡体失稳破坏。     

Analysis of the mechanisms of slope failures triggered by the 2007 Chuetsu Oki earthquake

The 2007 Chuetsu Oki earthquake (M_JMA = 6.6) triggered more than one hundred slope failures in the northwest part of Niigata prefecture, Japan. A reconnaissance survey conducted by the authors revealed that although most of the failures were only a few meters deep, they still caused significant damage to roads, railways, and houses. It was also found that a vast number of shallow slides were concentrated along the coastal line of the Japan Sea, while only few, but relatively larger failures occurred in a mountainous part of the study area, which is located in a considerable distance from the earthquake’s epicenter. This paper summarizes the reconnaissance observations, describes the geologic characteristics of the area covered by landslides, provides characterization of major types of the landslides, and examines the causes and mechanisms of typical failures. In addition, this paper seeks to investigate the mechanism of the Ohzumi landslide, the largest slide triggered by the Chuetsu Oki earthquake. For this purpose, a comprehensive analysis that included field investigation and laboratory testing of soils samples was performed. Results of field investigation suggested that the failure plane of the Ohzumi landslide formed in a saturated layer of sandy soil near a boundary with bedrock. Data from undrained cyclic loading triaxial compression tests indicated that the sandy material was highly susceptible to generation of high excess pore-water pressures during earthquake loading. On the basis of the obtained results and the outcome of seismic response and slope stability analyses, the authors posited an explanation on the mechanism of the Ohzumi landslide.     

Faulting and slope failures in surface coal mining—some examples from North East England

The shallow terrestrial Coal Measures strata of North East England have been faulted and tectonised by geological events (orogenies), and are divided by faulting and the River Tyne valley into the Northumberl and and Durham coalfields. The type of faulting is almost exclusively normal faulting, with close spacings and complex geometries being prevalent. These coalfields are generally overlain by glacial deposits. Surface coal mining, as a mechanised operation, has been carried out in this region for about the last 60 years. The earliest workings were on a relatively small scale, and faulting and geologically complex ground was avoided as far as possible; but with time, the introduction of progressively larger excavation plant has led to ever larger and deeper surface mines, and working in faulted ground has become commonplace. Detailed ground investigations by drilling and geophysical logging are carried out to prove the geological structure. The gradient of bedding dips usually determines whether the coal should be mined by opencast dip or strike cuts, or by open-pit working, but the choice of excavation face alignments with respect to faulting can be critical. Faces aligned near parallel with faults tend to suffer failures, whereas faces aligned near perpendicular to faults tend to be stable. The types of slope instabilities which are associated with normal faulting comprise planar failures (including bi-planar and multi-planar), toppling failures, tetrahedral wedge failures and complex endwall failures. Endwalls formed against faults are especially likely to become unstable, and can become very problematic if located close to mining area boundaries where important natural or infrastructure features may exist. Several case studies are included to illustrate these points.     

LiDAR-supported prediction of slope failures using an integrated ensemble weights-of-evidence and analytical hierarchy process

The present study investigates a potential application of different resolution topographic data obtained from airborne LiDAR and an integrated ensemble weight-of-evidence and analytic hierarchy process (WoE–AHP) model to spatially predict slope failures. Previously failed slopes of the Pellizzano (Italy) were remotely mapped and divided into two subsets for training and testing purposes. 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 m topographic data were processed to extract nine terrain attributes identified as conditioning factors for landslides: slope degree, aspect, altitude, plan curvature, profile curvature, stream power index, topographic wetness index, sediment transport index, and topographic roughness index. Landslide (slope failure) susceptibility maps were produced using a single WoE (Model 1), an ensemble WoE–AHP model that used all conditioning factors (Model 2), and an ensemble WoE–AHP model that only used highly nominated conditioning factors (Model 3). The validation results proved the efficiency of high-resolution (≤ 5 m) topographic data and the ensemble model, particularly when all factors were used in the modeling process (Model 2). The average success rates and prediction rates for Model 2 that used ≤ 5 m resolution datasets were 84.26 and 82.78%, respectively. The finding presented in this paper can aid in planning more efficient LiDAR surveys and the handling of large datasets, and in gaining a better understanding of the nature of the predictive models.     

The analysis of rainfall-induced slope failures at Iva Valley area of Enugu State,Nigeria

This paper analyses the dominant mechanisms of slope failures and identifies potential obstacles to landslide-hazard reduction at the Iva Valley area, Enugu, Nigeria. The landscape is replete with landslide scars and gullies of varied sizes and the slope deposits comprise unconsolidated, friable sands inter-bedded with thin units of montmorillonitic claystone. Forty-three landslide events were identified in the study area with most being shallow, short run-out movements with slip-surface depth <2 m. The study found the landslides mainly occur in the beginning of rainy season characterized by short duration, high intensity rainfall. An integrated approach comprising field mapping, laboratory tests and numerical analyses reveals that the barren nature of the slopes prior to the outset of rainy season, high rainfall intensity, erosion, overgrazing, soil characteristics and the site’s unique lithologic sequence are the main causes of instability. Shearing tests under several conditions showed that the soils strongly strain-soften until low steady-state strength is achieved. A computer code, based on this strength reduction technique, used input parameters obtained from the field and laboratory studies to simulate a landslide with similar structure, travel distance and distribution area. It is noted that urbanization has gradually increased the vulnerability of the society’s poor to landslide hazards as they now erect unplanned residence (tents and blocks) on the slopes. This work is part of a regional study aimed at finding ways of protecting the vulnerable by generating data that could be used to build future landslide susceptibility map.     

Microbiological effects on slope stability: an experimental analysis

A natural, pure quartz sand has been seeded with the bacterium Pseudomonas atlantica and the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum, and angles of avalanche and repose have been measured under water using a laboratory clinometer. The lowest angles of avalanche occur in freshly packed clean sediment (control), with the seeded sediments having higher values. Among the latter, the lowest angles of repose occur in the bacterial seeded sediments, and the highest in the fungal seeded sediments. The largest differences between the angle of avalanche and angle of repose occur in the bacterial seeded and media control sediments. The smallest differences occur in the fungal seeded sediment. In most cases the second angle of avalanche is lower than the first angle of avalanche, whilst the second angle of repose is higher than the first angle of repose. The bacteria bind particles together with their extracellular polymeric material, while the fungus binds particles by holding them together with a network of hyphal filaments. In the bacterial seeded sediment growth is uniform over the sediment surface. In the fungal seeded sediment growth occurs as discrete colonies separated by bare sediment, and the fungal hyphae penetrate the sediment to a significant depth. On avalanching, the fungal colonies move down the slope with the hyphal filaments trailing behind them in the sediment. Overall, both the bacterium and the fungus increase slope stability. However, the fungal colonies maintain slope stability after avalanching more effectively than does the uniform bacterial growth. The results are discussed in relation to the wide range of biological effects that stabilize flat sediments and to laboratory and field studies on the stability of sediment slopes.     

3D urban models: Recent developments in the digital modelling of urban environments in three-dimensions

This paper reports on recent developments in the visualisation of urban landscapes. There is a growing interest in the contstruction of 3D models of urban and built environment for which a host of digital mapping and rendering techniques are being developed. This paper extracts some of the cases that we came across during worldwide interviews carried out in March 2000. Building on this review, we identify the range of data and techniques adopted for the development of 3D contents and how they could contribute to geographical analysis and planning of urban environment. A particular focus is given on the effectiveness of GIS and its related methods for their capacity to accommodate the demands for visual representation of urban environment as well as the basis for analysis and simulation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

变化环境对城市暴雨及排水系统影响研究进展

近年来,变化环境（气候变化和城镇化）导致城市暴雨的发生频率或强度增加,加剧了城市暴雨洪涝问题。因此,分析变化环境对城市暴雨及排水系统的影响对城市水资源规划管理、市政规划设计和城市防灾减灾有着重要意义。总结了未来高精度降雨预估技术、变化环境下排水系统设计标准等关键问题的研究进展,综述了变化环境下城市短历时暴雨演变规律及变化环境对城市排水系统影响的研究现状,探讨了变化环境对城市短历时暴雨的影响机理,并归纳了当前研究变化环境对城市暴雨及排水系统影响的主要方法。指出今后应重点加强的研究:①加强气候变化和城镇化对城市短历时暴雨影响机制的研究;②提升区域气候模式对城市区域下垫面和大气相互作用的描述能力,并加强公里尺度对流可解析模型在城市气候变化影响研究中的应用;③加强对变化环境下排水系统设计标准的研究;④综合评估气候变化和城镇化对城市排水系统超载、污染物转移和水安全等的影响。     

Efficient reliability analysis of earth dam slope stability using extreme gradient boosting method

Acta Geotechnica - Reliability analysis approach provides a rational means to quantitatively evaluate the safety of geotechnical structures from a probabilistic perspective. However, it suffers...